About Our Work
The Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society is a Christian Charity Organization, which exists for the purpose of welcoming and serving the needs of those men and women who make their livelihood in the port or at sea, without regard for nationality, race, ethnicity, politics, or religion.
Each year, more than 65,000 seafarers arrive on hundreds of vessels to the Charleston Port. Most crews consist of persons from diverse third-world countries and from many cultures. Three to four nationalities are common for one vessel, with a crew of around 25 seafarers. Many are lonely, away from home and their families for up to a year at a time. The need and opportunity for ministry to these brothers and sisters is tremendous.
Each year, more than 65,000 seafarers arrive on hundreds of vessels to the Charleston Port. Most crews consist of persons from diverse third-world countries and from many cultures. Three to four nationalities are common for one vessel, with a crew of around 25 seafarers. Many are lonely, away from home and their families for up to a year at a time. The need and opportunity for ministry to these brothers and sisters is tremendous.
On an average the Seafarer volunteers serve over 800 ships, serve 5000 officers and 15,000 crew members in the ministry centers, and provide at least 1700 transportation trips to help crew with personal needs. Our volunteers log over 7,000 hours of service to these men and women each year.
The dedicated team of 55 volunteers serve crews that consist of persons from diverse third-world countries and from many cultures. Three to four nationalities are common for one vessel, with a crew of around 24 seafarers. Many are away from home and their families for up to 8 months at a time. The need and opportunity for ministry to these brothers and sisters is tremendous.
The volunteers make ship visits to provide fellowship to the crew members, offer prayer support, provide Christian and secular literature, and free Bibles in many languages. Seafarers have free access to telephone, Wi-Fi, computers, internet, transportation for shopping, and visits to local churches. If some seafarers don’t have visas or shore passes and can’t leave the ships when in port, our volunteers will even do shopping for the crew to get their needed personal supplies.
World outreach is in our own backyard and it would be our honor to partner with you to reach out to the men and women in need that visit the Port of Charleston each day.
To learn more about becoming a Charleston Port & Seafarer Society volunteer please contact us at chapssmail@gmail.com.
